You've lost touch with an industry peer. How can you reignite the connection effectively?

1 Initial Outreach

When you decide to reconnect with an industry peer, start with a warm and personalized message. Reflect on your last interaction or a shared experience to jog their memory and establish common ground. Your message should be concise but filled with genuine interest in their current endeavors. Ask about their recent projects or changes in their professional life, which shows that your intent to reconnect is not self-serving but based on mutual interest and respect for their career progression.

2 Offer Value

As you re-engage, it's crucial to demonstrate that you're not just looking to take but also to give. Offer a piece of information, an introduction, or assistance that could benefit them. Perhaps you've come across an article or event that aligns with their interests or current work. Sharing this with them can show that you are thoughtful and invested in the relationship, not just reaching out for your own needs.

3 Be Patient

Rebuilding a connection doesn't happen overnight. Allow your peer time to respond and engage at their own pace. If they don't reply immediately, don't take it personally or bombard them with messages. They may be dealing with their own busy schedule or may need time to remember the context of your relationship. Patience is key; it demonstrates respect for their time and boundaries.

4 Suggest a Meeting

Once you've re-established contact and exchanged a few messages, suggest a face-to-face meeting if geographically possible, or a virtual catch-up. A casual coffee or lunch can provide a relaxed setting to converse and deepen your reconnection. Be flexible with timing and location to accommodate their schedule. This meeting is an opportunity for both of you to explore how you might assist each other in your current roles or future endeavors.

5 Maintain the Momentum

After your initial meeting, keep the momentum going by staying in touch. You don't need to communicate daily, but regular check-ins can keep the relationship alive. This could be as simple as a brief email every few months or commenting on their professional updates on social media. The key is to be consistent without being overbearing, so the connection remains strong and beneficial for both parties.

6 Reflect and Adapt

Finally, take time to reflect on the reconnection process and adapt your approach if needed. Each industry peer is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Be open to feedback and willing to adjust your communication style and frequency to suit the individual relationship. By being reflective and adaptable, you can ensure that your efforts to reignite lost connections are as effective as possible.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?